By Damilola Adeleke

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the vital role of civil servants in shaping a nation’s progress, stating that “the civil servant holds the key to every nation’s success.” Speaking at a recent public forum, he reflected on his experiences as Vice President, Acting President, and Attorney General of Lagos State.

Osinbajo underscored how a well-functioning public service drives economic growth, job creation, and improved governance. He warned that when civil institutions are weak or self-serving, economic progress stalls, investment declines, and citizens suffer.

Sharing insights from his time in Lagos, he highlighted challenges in the housing sector, where legal bottlenecks discouraged investment in rental properties. “Tenants would occupy homes without paying rent for years. Once they paid the one or two years’ advance, they simply wouldn’t pay anymore, while cases dragged on in court,” he explained. To address this, the state introduced Citizens Mediation Centers, resolving over 8,000 cases annually—far surpassing the Magistrate Courts.

Osinbajo also emphasized innovation in public service, citing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s creative response to outdated financial regulations. By introducing the Payment Service Provider License, the CBN enabled Nigeria to become Africa’s leading fintech hub.

Encouraging civil servants to embrace innovation, he called them “public service scientists,” capable of engineering transformative solutions. “Real change begins with imagination, followed by disciplined execution,” he concluded, reinforcing the need for an efficient and forward-thinking civil service.